Address to the Governour

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Mr˙ Treasurer reported from the Committee that they had drawn up an Address accordingly, which they had directed him to report to the House; and he read the same in his place, and afterwards delivered it in at the Clerk' s table, where the same was read, and is as followeth, viz:

MY LOUD: We, His Majesty' s dutiful and loyal subjects, the Council and the Burgesses of Virginia, assure your Excellency, that it is with the greatest concern we find that your Lordship, by your messages to them, entertains any suspicions of the personal security of yourself or family, as we can by no means suppose any of His Majesty' s subjects in this Colony would meditate a crime so horrid and atrocious as your Lordship seems to apprehend. We are fearful the step your Lordship hath taken, in removing from the Seat of Government, may conduce to a continuance of great uneasiness, which hath of late so unhappily prevailed in this Country. We cannot but express our concern that your Lordship did not think proper to communicate the ground of your uneasiness to us, as from our zeal and attachment to the preservation of order and good government, we should have judged it our indispensable duty to have endeavoured to remove every cause of disquietude. In proof of the great respect we shall ever pay to the representative of our most gracious Sovereign, and to remove, to the utmost of our power, your Lordship' s apprehensions, we assure your Lordship that we will cheerfully concur in any measure that may be proposed proper for the security of yourself and family. It is with much anxiety we consider the very disagreeable situation of your Lordship' s most amiable lady and family, and should think ourselves happy in being able to restore their perfect tranquillity, by removing all their fears.

We cannot, my Lord, but approve your intention of not giving the least interruption to the important affairs on which we are now assembled; and it is with much pleasure we receive your Lordship' s assurance of your disposition to establish that harmony, so essential to the repose and comfort of every individual; but we must beg leave to observe to your Lordship how impracticable it will be to carry on the business of the session, with any tolerable, degree of propriety, or with that despatch the advanced season of the year requires, whilst your Lordship is so far removed from us, and so inconveniently situated. We therefore earnestly entreat your Lordship, that you will be pleased to return with your lady and family to the Palace, which we are persuaded will give the greatest satisfaction, and be the most likely means of quieting the minds of the people.

The said Address being read a second time,

Resolved, That the House doth agree with the Committee in the said Address to be presented to the Governour.

Ordered, That the gentlemen who drew up the said Address do go to the Council, and acquaint them that this House have agreed to an Address to the Governour, to which they desire the concurrence of the Council.